My Chris was all about love

HAPPIER times . . . Chris with girlfriend Katy

Mum’s heartbreak — and tribute to a wonderful son
THE mum of murdered hostage Chris McManus has spoken of the family’s ordeal as she paid tribute to a wonderful son who was “all about love.”

As reported in the Chronicle, the 28-year-old was killed after being taken hostage in Birnin Kebbi, Nigeria, in May, 2011.

Now, devastated Laura McManus described how it was initially thought the kidnapping wouldn’t have such a tragic outcome. But early optimism turned into despair.

She said: “We were told it was a routine kidnap and that we’d get him back in a few days. The time it actually took was unimaginable.

“The Foreign Office and government were fantastic, they were in contact with us every day. They have been so professional, warm and compassionate.”

Speaking at her home in Royton, which is now flooded with cards and flowers, Laura said yesterday: “We’ve been surrounded by love and, more importantly, by people.

“People have gone out of their way to care for us. We’ve received hundreds of cards and over 50 floral tributes.

“But that’s not what it’s about, it’s about how much people care.”

Quantity surveyor Chris had been working in the African country with Italian construction company B. Stablini building a bank.

Italian colleague, Franco Lamolinara, was also seized and killed.

Last December, a Nigerian group calling itself “al-Quaeda in the land beyond the sahil” announced it was holding the pair.

Prime Minister David Cameron gave the green light to a daylight rescue operation by a UK elite squadron and Nigerian forces when a window of opportunity arose. But the pair had already been executed when troops stormed the house.

Laura says the work Chris was doing was vital for his future.

“He went away to work, and to earn money to be able to plan his future with his girlfriend, Katy,” she added.

“He wanted to give her the best life she deserved. He felt blessed that she loved him. Chris felt so lucky to be with her. They’d been together for five years, they were planning a life together.”

Chris, a former Our Lady’s RC High School student and avid Latics fan, was well-travelled, having previously spent nine months in New Zealand as part of a gap year.

Laura added: “Chris loved Nigeria, he loved the country and the people. Nothing else negative should come of this, Chris was all about love.

“He was just my Chris. There was nothing out of the ordinary about him. He was from a normal, loving family and was surrounded by people who loved him. He was a wonderful person.

“He was my baby. To think that he isn’t coming back is unbearable.”




Chris’s funeral will be at Our Lady of Mount Carmel and St Patrick’s Church, Union Street West, Oldham, next Friday at 10.30am.